Both are physiotherapy. Regular physiotherapy usually means one session a week or so over months, with a home exercise program. Intensive suit therapy packs three to four hours of therapy a day, five days a week, into a three-to-four-week block, using a wearable suit and specialized equipment. Many children with cerebral palsy do best with both: intensive blocks to push new skills, and regular physiotherapy in between to keep them going.
Parents of children with cerebral palsy hear a lot of therapy names — physiotherapy, occupational therapy, TheraSuit, Adeli, intensive programs — and it is not always clear how they relate. This guide focuses on the question we are asked most often at our Scarborough clinic: what is the difference between regular physiotherapy and intensive suit therapy, and which one does my child need?
What regular physiotherapy looks like
Regular pediatric physiotherapy is the backbone of care for most children with cerebral palsy. A physiotherapist assesses strength, range of motion, muscle tone, posture, balance and movement, then works on goals such as sitting, standing, walking or using both hands. Sessions are typically weekly or every other week, often for 45 to 60 minutes, and families are given a home program of stretches and exercises to practise between visits.
The strengths of this model are continuity and flexibility. A physiotherapist who sees your child regularly can adjust the plan as your child grows, respond to changes after surgery or Botox, advise on equipment such as orthotics and walkers, and coordinate with school and other therapists. In Ontario, physiotherapy is directly accessible — no referral is needed — and treatment by a registered physiotherapist is commonly covered by extended health plans.
What intensive suit therapy is
Intensive suit therapy is also delivered by physiotherapists, but it changes two things: the dose and the tools.
- Dose: at Revivo the standard protocol is three to four hours of therapy a day, five days a week, for three to four consecutive weeks. A single three-week block at three hours a day is 45 hours of therapy — roughly what a child might receive in a year of weekly sessions.
- The suit: a soft, wearable orthosis — a vest, shorts, knee pads, shoe attachments and a cap joined by adjustable elastic cords. It gently loads the body in better alignment and gives the brain clearer feedback from the muscles and joints.
- The Universal Exercise Unit: a frame with pulleys and weights — sometimes called the "spider cage" — that lets the therapist isolate one muscle group at a time and practise standing and stepping with partial support.
A typical day moves from warm-up and deep-pressure massage, through targeted strengthening, to functional practice such as assisted walking, stand-ups, parallel bars and play. The idea is simple: specific exercises, repeated many times, with carefully chosen resistance, over consecutive weeks.
Side by side
| Regular physiotherapy | Intensive suit therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Typically weekly or every other week, ongoing | 3–4 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 3–4 weeks |
| Tools | Exercise, stretching, balance and gait work; equipment advice | TheraSuit, Universal Exercise Unit, suspension and functional training |
| Main strength | Continuity, flexibility, long-term monitoring | Concentrated practice to build strength and new motor skills quickly |
| Family commitment | A session a week plus home exercises | Daily attendance during the block, plus home practice after |
| Cost structure | Per session; often covered by extended health plans | At Revivo: $100 intake, then $122 per therapy hour; often partly claimable |
Which is right for your child?
It is rarely an either/or decision. These questions usually point the way:
- What are the goals right now? If you are aiming for a specific new skill — sitting independently, standing at a support, first steps — a concentrated block can give it a strong push. If the priority is maintaining range of motion or adjusting to a growth spurt, regular sessions may be enough for now.
- Stamina and age. Intensive programs are demanding. Younger children or those who tire quickly usually start at three hours a day, and the intake assessment helps decide what is realistic.
- Medical considerations. Hip subluxation or dislocation, seizures that are not well controlled, heart or breathing conditions, a shunt, significant scoliosis or recent surgery all need to be discussed first. Children with possible hip problems need a recent hip x-ray before an intensive program.
- Family logistics. Daily attendance for three or four weeks is a real commitment. Many families plan blocks around school breaks; some who live further away arrange a short-term stay nearby.
- Budget and coverage. Check your extended health plan's annual physiotherapy maximum and whether it requires a referral. Our guide to suit therapy costs in Ontario has worked examples.
How families combine the two
The most common pattern we see is a rhythm: an intensive block to build strength and practise new skills, then regular one-to-one physiotherapy and home practice to keep those skills active, and another block when the time is right. Parents are part of the team throughout — at Revivo, each day of an intensive block ends with a quick update and ideas for practising at home.
If your child already has a physiotherapist, that relationship stays important. Intensive programs work best as part of a long-term plan, not a replacement for it.
What the evidence says
We would rather you make this decision with honest information. Research on suit therapy is still a small body of work: a 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology found small positive effects on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy, based on only four studies that met its criteria (Martins et al., 2016). Studies of strength training in cerebral palsy, such as a pilot of group circuit training for children aged 4–8 and research on progressive resistance training, support the broader idea that targeted strengthening can help. You will find these and more in our research library — bring them to your child's physician.
Frequently asked questions
Is suit therapy a type of physiotherapy?
Yes. At Revivo it is delivered by specially trained physiotherapists. What sets it apart is the intensity — three to four hours a day for three to four weeks — and the use of the suit and the Universal Exercise Unit.
Can my child do suit therapy and regular physiotherapy?
Yes, and many families do. Regular physiotherapy between intensive blocks helps keep new skills active.
Which gives faster results?
Because the work is so concentrated, many parents notice changes within the first one to two weeks of an intensive block. Every child is different, and long-term progress depends on keeping skills going afterwards.
Is it covered by insurance?
Treatment by registered physiotherapists is commonly covered by extended health plans, and a significant portion of suit therapy is often claimable. Check your plan's annual maximum and referral rules.
Not sure which approach fits your child right now? Book a free consultation or call 416-628-4232 — we will talk through goals, timing and costs with you.
Medical note: this article is general information, not medical advice. Every person is different and progress varies — please talk to your physician or specialist about your situation.